Erin Smith
Astoria, NY, United States
Erin Smith was diagnosed with celiac disease in the early 1980s, so she’s been eating gluten-free almost her entire life. Erin has a unique perspective of growing up in the gluten-free community and blogs about living — and enjoying — a gluten-free lifestyle.
Erin Smith has been writing her gluten-free lifestyle blog Gluten-Free Fun since 2007. In 2011, she launched Gluten-Free Globetrotter, a website that encourages those with celiac disease to travel the world and not be scared about eating gluten-free domestically and abroad. Erin is also the lead organizer of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group, a social community that has grown to over 1850 members in the 8 years she has been organizing the group.
http://glutenfreefun.blogspot.com
http://glutenfreeglobetrotter.comSee my complete profile

Tomorrow is the kick off of the second annual Chef-to-Plate Campaign sponsored by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America. This is a national awareness campaign for gluten-free living, through the restaurants that support persons living with gluten-free intolerances. I encourage you to support your local restaurants that are participating during the month of May. For a complete list of participating restaurants, please visit the GIG website.

I am happy to announce that Gustorangics is participating in this campaign for its second year. Gustorganics is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. They are part of the Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program (GFRAP) as of 2009. In addition, they have graciously hosted two NYC Celiac Disease Meetups in 2009.

Gustorganics

519 6th AvenueNew York, NY 10011(212) 242-5800

A new addition to the NYC Chef-to-Plate line up is my new favorite restaurant Bar Breton! Bar Breton has been very proactive since their opening to understand the dietary needs of those with celiac disease and a gluten intolerance. They are part of the GREAT program, they are applying for GFRAP status, and they are excited to be a participant in the 2nd annual Chef-to-Plate Campaign.

Bar Breton

254 5th AvenueNew York, NY 10001-6406(212) 213-4999

This campaign

Helps spread awareness of gluten intolerance.This condition affects more than 15 million people in the US alone!Last year, we reached 1.625 million people with information about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

Gluten-Free Vanilla Glazed And Chocolate Dipped Donuts To Be Available Across The U.S. In April

EDMONTON, CANADA, April 27, 2010 – Kinnikinnick Foods (www.kinnikinnick.com), leader in the development of baked goods ideal for those following a special diet, today announces that their popular Chocolate Dipped and Vanilla Glazed gluten-free donuts will be available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide this April.

Kinnikinnick’s donuts are free of gluten, wheat, nut, dairy, soy and trans fat. In addition, the donuts are produced in a completely gluten-free and nut-free facility, contain no preservatives, and are made from quality ingredients such as white rice four, sweet rice flour and palm fruit oil.

The Vanilla Glazed and Chocolate Dipped flavors have a SRP of $6.59 per 11.3 oz package which prominently features the new Dairy-Free and Nut-Free logos.

“It’s hard to imagine life without a donut! That’s why at Kinnikinnick, we made it a point to make a delicious gluten and dairy-free donut reflecting that sweet, deep fried and moist dough one can only experience from that sweet breakfast on the run or midday donut and coffee break,” said Kinnikinnick Foods’ CEO Jerry Bigam. “With the line’s new national availability, we hope no one with a gluten, nut or dairy intolerance will go donut-less for long.”

Kinnikinnick donuts are also available via www.kinnikinnick.com and at select health food and mainstream markets across the country and in Canada. Additional flavors include Cinnamon Sugar and Maple Glazed. Kinnikinnick donuts contain half the fat of conventional donuts. For best texture and taste, keep frozen and warm before eating.

About Kinnikinnick FoodsBased in Edmonton, Canada, Kinnikinnick Foods is North America’s leading source of deliciously diverse baked goods products created for those maintaining a gluten, dairy and/or nut-free diet, as well as for mainstream consumers looking for healthier food alternatives. Kinnikinnick runs the largest dedicated gluten-free and nut free bakery in North America, thus ensuring that its retail and foodservice customers enjoy the most variety of uncontaminated, risk-free food products available today. For more information, please visit www.kinnikinnick.com.

I really like the Serious Eats NY website, so I was pleasantly surprised when this came up in my RSS Feed today. When I first tell people that I can't have gluten, I have my usual list of "can't haves" that I run down. I always put beer close to the top of the list because people seem shocked that you can't drink beer. I can't really keep beer on my list for long if manufacturers keep adding gluten-free options to my drinking menu. Of course, you still can't walk into your average bar and buy a gluten-free beer but the options are seriously expanding.

If you were recently diagnosed with celiac disease, you may be wondering if your last beer was...well, your last. If you're a host to guests who can't eat wheat or barley, you may be curious about what sorghum beer tastes like. And if you're a restaurant, store, or bar owner, you may wonder if any gluten-free beer could be worth having in stock.

We tried every gluten-free beer we could get our hands on, and the news is good: plenty of them are tasty and drinkable. While none of these are our new favorite brews, they're far better than we feared.

Please note, all of these beers were labeled "gluten free" in our local store, and to the best of our knowledge, they are safe for celiacs. You may want to do further research for safety's sake.

Our Favorite Gluten-Free BeersOur favorite of the bunch was St. Peter's Sorghum Beer from the UK. It's a solid Pilsner-style lager that will appear to fans of Grolsch. It's crisp and dry, with good body and hints of bay leaf and lemon peel. It would be great with bratwurst, but it's clean-tasting enough to drink on its own.

We usually don't raise our glasses to brewing giant Anheuser-Busch, but their Redbridge lager is surprisingly nice. It's a crisp, refreshing wheat- and barley-free substitute for Yuengling or the like, with only a hint of the sourness that is common in sorghum beers.

Recommended with ReservationsGreen's Discovery Amber Ale isn't like an American Amber—it's fruity and tangy, with orange marmalade flavors and a slightly harsh bitter dryness. We bet this would be good with barbecue chicken. The entire Green's line is a bit pricey at $5-7 a bottle, though.

Green's Quest Tripel Ale is crisp and a little grassy, with notes of tart raspberry, orange peel, and cloves. It's pretty drinkable for 8.5% alcohol, but as it warms, the bitter finish gets a bit harsh.

Green's Endeavour Dubbel is much lighter than most dubbels we've tried, and quite carbonated. It reminded us of rum-raisin desserts and cherry soda—pretty tasty, but it might not satisfy a craving for beer.

SkippableBard's Gold has a toasty rye-bread-like flavor and a little more body than the St. Peters and the Redbridge, but after an initial burst of malty flavor, it tastes a little like a copper penny. The bitter finish was a bit off-putting to most of our tasters.

A sweet-tart sourness distinguishes New Grist from the rest. It's a little yeasty, and while it's crisp, we didn't find it as drinkable as the options above.

Are you looking for that perfect gift for a gluten-free mom this Mother’s Day? Does a gluten-free Dad in your life need a baseball hat? If so, the Gluten-Free NYC Boutique is your one-stop shopping for gluten-free clothing, hats, magnets, and more. Stop by the Gluten-Free NYC Boutique today and order that special gluten-free someone a gift today.

Sandwiched between Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Lady Gaga, the Internet trend site TrendHunter.com lists gluten-free diets as a trend for 2009. There is little question consumer interest in gluten-free eating habits—as well as gluten-free products—is growing. Sales of gluten-free foods is the fastest growing U.S. grocery category, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, increasing by more than 18 percent per year.

Gluten, the Latin word for “glue,” is a protein contained in the cells of wheat, rye and barley. It is an important source of nutritional protein, both in foods prepared directly from wheat, and as an additive to foods like sauces and condiments, to boost protein. It gives kneaded dough its elasticity, allows leavening and is a binding agent that contributes shape, texture and chewiness to baked products like bagels and pizza. It is highly incorporated into vegan diets in the form of seitan as it absorbs flavor and has a meat-like consistency. Growth of convenience and fast foods has led to an increased use of gluten as an additive to non-wheat products, with the United States being the largest consumer of wheat gluten in the world. Because of bio-engineering, modern wheat contains almost double the amount of gluten it did a century ago.

For those without a gluten intolerance, gluten is harmless and avoiding it could cause dietary deficiencies. But for those with an intolerance, gluten causes the body to have an abnormal reaction and launch an attack on the body’s immune system.

Because celebrities like Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Zooey Deschanel, Rachel Weisz and Victoria Beckham have gone public with their gluten-free lifestyles, which they adopted either by necessity or by choice, word is spreading about gluten-free products, among those with gluten intolerance, and among fad dieters looking for the next trend.

But because this is a trend that, for some, is a way of life, many wonder whether all the attention gluten-free diets are getting belittles the severity of the actual disease or if it is a move in the right direction for the millions still undiagnosed.Celiac disease affects 1 percent of healthy, average Americans. That means at least 3 million people in our country are living with celiac disease—97 percent of them are undiagnosed.

This article was originally printed in the Long Island Press on April 15, 2010. Originally from Long Island, it is nice to see some local press picking up an issue such as Celiac Disease. As usual with articles such as this, there is a very heated comments section at the end of the article.

The legal battles in this article are quite intriguing. I was diagnosed in the early 1980s and I think my parents were so uninformed about Celiac (as many were in the mid-1980s) that none of this would have ever crossed their minds. My parents did little things like making sure that I had gluten-free snacks for my birthday, but other than bringing my own lunch every single day of school. There was no aide involved in my eating in school, there was no filing of 504, etc. I wonder if they would have reacted differently if I was a student today. There is so much more information available than there was 30 years ago, it is seriously mind blowing.

I read this on the Be Free for Me Blog on Tuesday. Looks like Taster's Choice instant coffees are gluten-free! They are offering samples while supplies last.

There’s nothing like a good cup of coffee. Especially a cup that you can make at home… allowing you to save tons of money by avoiding those fancy-schmancy coffee shops.

But according to an article on gluten-free living in the April 17th issue of Woman’s Day Magazine, a sidebar (in the magazine version only) listed instant coffee as one of the top “sneaky sources of gluten”. Gasp! What is a coffee-lovin’ frugal gluten-free gal like me to do?

This is why I am thrilled to announce that ALL of Taster’s Choice Instant Coffee’s are gluten-free. I am also excited to let all BeFreeForMe members know they can get a FREE sample pack containing all SIX of the Taster’s Choice products plus a $1.00 OFF coupon! The sample pack contains single-serves of the Original, Gourmet Roast, Vanilla, 100% Columbian, Hazelnut, and the Decaffeinated. All are delicious, rich and robust. The way coffee is meant to be… plus it’s gluten-free!

How can you get this FREE sample pack?Easy!

Click on this link, and select “Taste For Yourself”. Complete the Form and within 6-8 weeks you will get your sample pack! But hurry! This offer won’t last for long!

A few weeks ago, I received a Gluten Free Sampler Pack from NutsOnline.com as part of their Munch Madness promotion. I was pleasantly surprised to find 10 packages of their gluten-free products. I think this would be a great gift for someone either new to the gluten-free diet or an old pro. Right now, the Gluten Free Sampler Pack is only $20 on sale. Order yours today!

NutsOnline.com says...

"All of our gluten-free products are made in gluten-free facilities. We only work with people that we trust are living up to the strictest standards. Also, we test our facilities and our products monthly to ensure that the environments in which we keep gluten-free products are less than 10-ppm gluten (5-ppm gliadin).

As there are several family members and friends of some NutsOnline employees who have Celiac, we understand how important it is to maintain the highest standards!"

The Gluten Free Sampler Pack includes:Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds - A treat that combines the goodness of sunflower seeds with the richness of chocolate! My coworker and I finished these in about one day. They are surprisingly yummy.

Veggie Chips - One of our most popular products that's great when you're looking for a tasty snackGreat if you are looking for a super crunchy snack.

Simply Fruit Cocktail (Raw, no shell)This made me think of astronaut food. I didn't like this much at all.

Acai Blueberry Superfood Cereal - A tasty way to start your day or snack on throughout the day.Ate this as a snack at work. I never had Acai before and I liked it.

Organic Quinoa - The 'mother grain' is extremely high in protein (12-18%) and supplies complete protein, meaning that it includes all 9 essential amino acids.Quinoa is a staple in my diet. If you aren't eating Quinoa, YOU SHOULD!!!

Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats - Naturally gluten-free, steel cut oats are easy to digest and make for a satisfying breakfast!I don't eat oats at all, even those that are "gluten-free" so I gave these away.

Organic Raw White Buckwheat - This flour with a hint of a nutty flavor is loaded with nutrients, especially protein!This is a grain that I recently introduced into my diet. Don't let the name scare you away. Buckwheat is actually part of the rhubarb family!

Are you looking for that perfect gift for a gluten-free mom this Mother’s Day? Does a gluten-free Dad in your life need a baseball hat? If so, the Gluten-Free NYC Boutique is your one-stop shopping for gluten-free clothing, hats, magnets, and more. Stop by the Gluten-Free NYC Boutique today and order that special gluten-free someone a gift today.

For those of you who might want to make a night/weekend of it in the city, you can reserve rooms at the Swissôtel for a discounted rate through 4/14/2010; just mention The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center when making your reservations (312-565-0565).

As one of your constituents, one of the millions of Americans with celiac disease, I am writing to ask you to cosponsor H.Con.Res. 110, recognizing May as National Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

Celiac disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world. It affects men, women, children and the elderly. In the United States 1 in 133 or about 3 million have the condition yet 95% remain undiagnosed.

The symptoms of celiac disease include migraines, stomach pain, anemia, joint pain, fatigue, diarrhea and many more. Because the symptoms mirror those of other conditions it can often take years for patients to be properly diagnosed. These delays can lead to growth and developmental delays in children, infertility, osteoporosis and the onset of other autoimmune disorders.

Here are a few other facts consider:

- Type 1 diabetes affects 3 million of our citizens and 10% also have celiac disease.

- 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and 12% (48,000) will have celiac disease as well.

- Almost 50% of men diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia will also be diagnosed with celiac disease.

Educating the public and expanding awareness among health professionals will improve diagnosis rates and hopefully prevent individuals from developing other potentially life threatening illnesses.

Please cosponsor H.Con.Res. 110 to help raise awareness about celiac disease, the world's most common genetic disorder.

Seeking Participants for a Research Study on Gluten-Free Claims on Food Labels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking adults diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten-intolerance or caregivers to such individuals to participate in a research study on their grocery shopping habits. Participants will be asked to take an Internet survey, which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

April is here which means it´s time to celebrate Earth month! This month, Stop & Shop is paying homage to Mother Earth by offering you the chance to win one of two eco-friendly hybrid cars!

Entering couldn´t be easier! From April 16-29, buy 5 participating General Mills items with your Stop & Shop card, use a re-useable shopping bag and you´ll automatically be entered to win. There are two different sets of participating General Mills items for each week of the promotion. Please see below for the participating brands.

You can also enter without making a purchase by completing an official entry form at your local Stop & Shop store.

This promotion is open to residents of MA, RI, CT, NH, NJ, NY, MD, DE, VA or DC and individuals at least 18 years old. For details about the sweepstakes, see in-store for complete rules.

Do you know someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance and wonder about their diet?

Does your family or friends have the impression that a gluten-free diet tastes bad?

Do you want to be supportive of someone following a gluten-free diet?

You are invited to take the Gluten-Free Challenge.

Gluten-Free meals can taste great! Sign up for the Gluten-Free Challenge (www.GoGFChallenge.com) to learn more! Starting April 21st, you will receive a “Recipe of the Day” and “Tip of the Day” for a month. Use these tasty recipes and tips to learn about gluten-free eating. On the weekend of May 22, we challenge you to eat gluten-free for the weekend. Dine with a gluten-free family member or friend to show your support and awareness of celiac disease, gluten intolerances and being gluten-free.

Bring everyone to the table to enjoy the same food.

Sign up for the Gluten-Free Challenge (www.GoGFChallenge.com) now! Win prizes while you learn and support people living a gluten-free lifestyle!

Living gluten-free or living with someone who is gluten-free can be confusing. We hope these Frequently Asked Questions (and the Gluten-Free Challenge) will change that. For more information visit the Gluten Intolerance Group.

What is gluten?The quick and easy answer is that gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and (sometimes) oats. (Oats need to be certified gluten-free to ensure that they are, in fact, gluten-free).

Why is avoiding gluten important?For some, gluten can be toxic. There are many conditions such as Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and other illnesses that render gluten toxic to the body. Although some people have chosen to avoid gluten simply because they feel better, it is generally a medical condition that needs attention. If you believe that gluten is making you sick please check the Gluten Intolerance Group's website for more information.

What is the treatment for Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?A lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.If I need to follow a gluten-free diet, or one of my friends or loved ones does, what food can we eat?There are amazing options for living gluten-free and enjoying the food. Gone are the days of dry, crumbly cookies and bread that tasted like the packaging it came in. There are companies such as Pamela's Products that have devoted themselves to delicious gluten-free food, and you can create your own wonderful dishes. The following grains & starches are allowed (taken from the Gluten Intolerance Group's website): Rice, Corn, Soy, Potato, Tapioca, Beans, Garfava, Sorghum, Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat, Arrowroot, Amaranth, Tef, Montina®, Nut Flours.

The following grains contain gluten and are not allowed: Wheat (durum, semolina, kamut, spelt), Rye, Barley, Triticale. For a more complete list visit the Gluten Intolerance Group's website.

Where can I find more recipes?Visit the Pamela's Products website and click on Recipes. Also, check back to our "How's It Going" blog for other participant's comments. You can also search online for gluten-free recipes or visit your local bookstore and pick up a gluten-free cookbook.

What if I'm the only gluten-free person in my family?GREAT! Invite the other members of your family to join you in the challenge. We don't want to make them live gluten-free forever, just for one weekend. Our hope is that they'll gain a better understanding for what you face everyday.

Zatarain's has announced a voluntary recall of Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix, 8 oz. package with UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN 19 12H. Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix packages with this date code contain undeclared wheat and barley ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or barley run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix package was distributed to limited grocery stores in Florida, Michigan and Virginia beginning February 15, 2010. The product is available in 8 oz. boxes, and the date code is found on the bottom of the package. The "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H is the only date code affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and barley as an ingredient.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other Zatarain's products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell Zatarain's New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact Zatarain's Consumer Affairs at 1-877-837-3796, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

The Glutino Food Group of Lawrence, Mass. is voluntarily recalling Glutino Raisin Bread because it may contain undeclared egg product as one of the ingredients. Consumers who have an allergy or sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products

The US product comes in a 22.6 ounce clear plastic bag marked with UPC code 6-78523 03015-8. Only one lot number of Glutino Raisin Bread (Best Before 08OCT10) in which egg is not declared on the label is affected by this alert. The affected product was distributed in the US only.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product's UPC was not scanning correctly in retail locations. The product was placed in packaging intended for a different product that did not list egg as an ingredient. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary issue in the company's packaging processes. No other products have been affected.

Consumers who have purchased Glutino Raisin Bread are asked to return the product to the place of purchase to receive a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Glutino directly at 1-800-54-FOODS, 9:00 - 5:00 ET, Monday through Friday.

Since 1983, the Glutino Food Group has been a trusted pioneer and leader in the gluten-free category. Based in Laval, Quebec, the company offers a wide variety of great-tasting, gluten-free foods consumers can trust. Products are available nationwide at local supermarkets, natural and organic retailers and on www.glutenfree.com. For more information on The Glutino Food Group, visit www.Glutino.com.